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61
both for the working classes, and for the classes in receipt of small salaries
or earning and that, as elsewhere, this situation is primarily due to the
restriction imposed upon the building trades during the war and the
economic disturbances which have succeeded it.
it will, however, be evident from the details already given that the
existing shortage of housing accommodation'in Chelsea is being most
adequately dealt with and that the extremely difficult problems which
contronbed tea the Borough Council subsequent to the war are gradually
being overcome. In this connection the invaluable services rendered
by the former Mayor (Mr. Alderman C. B. Clapcott, O.B.E), and the
late Chairman of the Housing Committee (Mr. Councillor E. B.
Baggallay) will always be remembered with appreciation in the
cipality
Overcrowding.—Overcrowding, where it exists, is mainly confined
to the western district of the Borough. This conclusion is based partly
on house-to-house inspections of the area and partly on applications
submitted for alternate housing accommodation. There has been some
tittle improvement in its prevalence during the year. Many of the cases
when approached as to the desirability of having their names submitted
to the Coununtv Council, with a view to provision of housing on one of the
Council Instates, decline to consider the proposition, on the ground that
the distance of the County Council's Estates from their work is too greatother
have become attached to the district and will not contemplate
for saking existing interests and associations. Owing to the extreme
difficulty of finding alternative accommodation it has not been found
practicable to deal with more than a proportion of the cases of overcrowdiring
the year. Whenever possible, arrangements are made with the
London County Council for the provision of a house for the overcrowded
family. Forty-three such families obtained accommodation the Council s
during the year. Further, when vacant tenements become
availiable in the Borough Council's dwellings preferential treatment is
as for as possible given to cases of overcrowding. . With a view to preventing
a recurrence of overcrowding in premises which are being vacated
because of their overcrowded condition, a cautionary letter is always
sent to the landlord concerned, warning him that action will be taken
against him in the event of a recurrence of overcrowded conditions in
the-premises.
Fitness of Houses.—The general standard of housing in the Borough
is satisfactory. There has been a very definite improvement in housing
condition during the past five years. The vast majority of houses have
adequate internal water supply and adequate sanitary accommodation
with in their own curtilage. The constant vigilance of the Sanitary
Inspector has impressed upon both owners and tenants their determination
that every dwelling house shall be maintained in a reasonable state
of repair and that there shall systematic observance of cleanliness-
For some years past it was apparent that in a portion of the western
district the house were old, worn out and required constant repairs
and renovations. This area, comprising World's End Passage and
court abutting thereon, about 1 acre, 37 poles in extent, was during